Love or Die CEO’s Daily Dose of Swoon

Chapter 122

Cordelia sat slumped at her desk, now changed into her cozy pajamas. Elbows planted firmly on the wood, she cradled her smartphone in her hands, awaiting a reply from the members of her social group chat.

Since yesterday, the question had been gnawing at her, who exactly was Everard? Even Sanderson, the guy who knew everyone in town, didn’t recognize the name. Could it be that Everard was a ghost, a figment of her Imagination?

This morning’s chat in the Pioneers Group sparked a realization, the group was a melting pot of professionals from various fields. Surely someone might know him, right?

But after she posted her question, the chat fell eerily silent.

After a torturous two–minute wait, a reply finally popped up.

Bland asked, [Lia, are you pulling our leg? How could you not know him?]

Cordelia blinked, her instincts telling her that Bland knew Everard. She typed back hastily, [Who is he?]

Silence fell over the group once again.

Just as she was about to probe further, another message came through.

Nolnterruptions said, [Never heard of him.]

Like an icebreaker, the message prompted a flurry of responses.

Pianoman said, [Nope, doesn’t ring a bell.]

Mathster replied, [A mystery to me.]

Painter said, [Who?]

Chef replied, [Not a clue.]

Others all replied, [No idea.]

Everyone chimed in except Louie Adams. Cordelia’s brow furrowed as she read the stream of ignorance, finally addressing Bland directly, [So, you’re the one who knows him, @Bland?]

Bland replied, [No, I definitely do not.]

confused, texting.

replied, [Sorry, must’ve been a brain fart. Got

was speechless,

and nobody knew him?

echoing Painter’s earlier message – [If anyone digs up

set her phone aside and opened the book “The Periodic Table” that she’d borrowed from her grandmother. The technical jargon was almost alien to her, making for a challenging

the pages

“learning never ends” couldn’t have been more true. She had thought her high school education was comprehensive and had even self–studied some college material, but compared to the true experts, she was leagues

to double down on

her a cup of milk and honey. “Get some

always open to good advice,

setting her alarm when a new message

[Lia, why are you asking about this Everard

pondered for a moment before

way. Is he in

do you

ten minutes before sending back a cryptic message: [Be careful around him in real life. Keep your distance.]

did he mean by keeping her distance? They hadn’t even been in

Cordelia sighed deeply, replying. I can’t stay away from him, my

she was waxing poetic about love, just as Lorna and Sanderson would. But how could she

could decide, Louie

meaning. After a moment’s thought, she responded: [Because “Love

Louie went silent.

indicator blinked for another ten minutes, but still no

and returning, Cordelia found Louie’s response: I know. I’ll see your granddad about a

He

of hope. Anyone else might have called him immediately, but Cordelia was patient

a single word – [Okay]

she was about

number. What could he want at

voice, more velvety than she remembered, greeted

the nocturnal stillness, somehow more appealing. She hesitated before finally speaking.

his voice so soothing it seemed